Harissa Chickpea Pasta Dish (Printable)

Spicy chickpeas simmered in harissa-tomato sauce with pasta for a robust Mediterranean dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Chickpeas & Sauce

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tbsp harissa paste
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes
10 - 2 (14 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Finish

13 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
15 - Optional: crumbled feta cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining and set pasta aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in garlic, harissa paste, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced tomatoes, chickpeas, and vegetable broth. Season with salt and black pepper, then bring to a simmer.
05 - Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped fresh herbs. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Serve immediately garnished with additional herbs and optional crumbled feta cheese.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The harissa brings this incredible warmth that feels cozy without being overwhelming
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The chickpeas make it substantial enough that nobody leaves the table hungry
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that harissa brands vary wildly in heat, always taste before adding more
  • The pasta water is not optional, it is what makes the sauce actually cling to every piece of pasta
03 -
  • Mince the garlic finely so it melts into the sauce instead of leaving sharp bits
  • Grate the lemon zest directly over the pan to catch all those aromatic oils
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